Jimmy Kimmel is moving one political conversation away from ABC’s broadcast. The late-night host says an upcoming interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico will instead appear online. The change comes as Kimmel continues criticizing the FCC over what he describes as pressure on ABC and its affiliates. Now, that dispute is affecting where viewers can see one of his interviews.
Jimmy Kimmel says his James Talarico interview will bypass ABC and appear on YouTube
During Wednesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! monologue, Kimmel said he would interview James Talarico “under unusual circumstances.” However, he confirmed that the conversation will not air on ABC, according to Us Weekly.
Instead, viewers will have to watch the full interview on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube channel. Kimmel said he made the decision with ABC affiliates, particularly stations in Texas, in mind.
The host then accused the FCC of threatening him, his show, ABC and local stations over traditional editorial decisions. Us Weekly reported that it contacted the FCC for comment.
Kimmel also compared the situation with earlier years of his show. He noted that he has interviewed candidates from both major parties, including Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.
In fact, Trump appeared on the program while running for president in 2015. He returned before becoming the Republican nominee in 2016. Kimmel argued that political interviews did not create the same problems then.
The latest dispute arrives amid broader uncertainty surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. ABC recently pushed back on reports that the long-running show is definitely nearing its end.
Meanwhile, Talarico has faced a similar broadcast situation before. Earlier this year, Stephen Colbert interviewed him but released the conversation online amid concerns involving FCC equal-time rules.
For now, Kimmel says YouTube offers another route. The platform lets him publish the Talarico interview in full while keeping it off ABC’s television broadcast.
